"Microsoft's Windows 8 will activate its built-in antivirus software only if it senses that the PC is not protected by another security program, according to AV vendor McAfee." That's one way to appease antivirus companies, I suppose.

Bingo! Give that man a ceeegar! Do you have ANY idea how many stupid trialware installs of Norton and McAfee I have to get rid of in an average month? Too dang many. Every single OEM out there just loads up the crapware and those two companies are usually right at the top of the list, ironically along with trial versions of MS Office products.

Personally I am glad there will at least be something on there if they have nothing but the thing I'm wary of is this: Will this thing suddenly show up if you are tossing some trialware for something decent? or will it at least give you the option to say no?